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Helmets
Prompted by a previous post, what do people think about skiing helmets?
On my last couple of trips to N America helmet use by adults seems to be approaching 30-50% (very rough guess). When I was in France a couple of weeks ago it was very close to zero. Personally, I'm a convert, but a trip to Jackson Hole is very pursuasive (very steep, lots of tight trees, scary cliffs etc). I guess it still very much a matter of debate and I am not in favour of making them mandatory but I'd be interested to hear what anyone else thinks. On the plus side: They probably reduce the chance of serious head injury in an accident. (although I know of no proof) On the down side: Can be uncomfortable (mine current one isn't, the first one I bought was a real pain, literally). May encourage a wearer to take more risks (I doubt this, but I've heard it said). Too warm in spring/summer. Thoughts? Steve |
#2
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Helmets
"Steve Haigh" wrote in message ... | Prompted by a previous post, what do people think about skiing helmets? For kids I think wearing helmets should be pushed more than it is.... The ESF calls it 'highly advisable' but not compulsory - maybe they don't want to lose business.. Kids - mainly those on holiday - often go faster than their ability allows, change direction at random, generally seem to be in a world of their own on the pistes. When it's congested this can be really hazardous. I've seen plenty of children taken out from behind by large teenagers and the occasional adult, who don't allow enough overtaking space. A good thing about getting kids used to wearing a helmet right from the start is that they're less bothered about the image thing as they get older. As for those doing a bit of competition... well there's no choice if you're a club member. Still it's only partially reassuring when you're watching 11 year olds going down the high speed 'kilomètre lancé' run at Les Arcs at over 90 mph..... ,falling over is not recommended. And the risks are just as high on days like today when the club spent the morning skiing off piste through the forest. Pete http://www.skiclublesarcs.com |
#3
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Helmets
Steve Haigh wrote:
Prompted by a previous post, what do people think about skiing helmets? On my last couple of trips to N America helmet use by adults seems to be approaching 30-50% (very rough guess). When I was in France a couple of weeks ago it was very close to zero. Over new year, at les 2 Alpes I wore mine every day, and there seemed to be a increasing number of people with helmets, but the reason I wore mine is that it was cold and windy and a helmet is far more effective than a hat! on the other hand I would not dream of racing or training through poles without mine it just feels unsafe now. Personally, I'm a convert, but a trip to Jackson Hole is very pursuasive (very steep, lots of tight trees, scary cliffs etc). I guess it still very much a matter of debate and I am not in favour of making them mandatory but I'd be interested to hear what anyone else thinks. they are mandatory for dry slope racing and on many slopes for training through poles or using jumps. this is mainly brought on by the insurance companies. On the plus side: They probably reduce the chance of serious head injury in an accident. (although I know of no proof) On the down side: Can be uncomfortable (mine current one isn't, the first one I bought was a real pain, literally). May encourage a wearer to take more risks (I doubt this, but I've heard it said). this was a claim made against the compulsory wearing of motorbike helmets and (Car) seat belts, AFAIK the oposite has proven to be the case ie the accident rate (in the UK) has decreased not increased. Too warm in spring/summer. Too true, Adults tend to put their helmet on at the last possible time and remove it as soon as they stop in Summer races, though children don't seem to be so affected. One reason I know some people won't wear helmets (or complain continuosely about them if they have to wear them) is restriction of vision. personally I don't notice this and One racer I know who would not wear a helmet for training for this reason now does. ( The rather large dentist's bill for replacing the crowns on both his front teeth may have had something to do with this though.) -- Chris *:-) Downhill Good, Uphill BAD! www.suffolkvikings.org.uk |
#4
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Helmets
On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 16:39:39 -0000, "MoonMan"
wrote: On the down side: May encourage a wearer to take more risks (I doubt this, but I've heard it said). this was a claim made against the compulsory wearing of motorbike helmets and (Car) seat belts, AFAIK the oposite has proven to be the case ie the accident rate (in the UK) has decreased not increased. Take it from me - if you ride a motorcycle, you ride *much* more carefully without a helmet. I'm generally against helmets when on the snow, tho I wouldn't argue with anyone's personal choice. For me it slighly removes one from the immediacy of the environment, and I also fear that eventaully they'll be compulsory, perhaps in a de facto way like you can't get insurance without one. -- This sig under construction |
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Helmets
On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 22:25:27 +0000, Champ wrote:
On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 16:39:39 -0000, "MoonMan" wrote: On the down side: May encourage a wearer to take more risks (I doubt this, but I've heard it said). this was a claim made against the compulsory wearing of motorbike helmets and (Car) seat belts, AFAIK the oposite has proven to be the case ie the accident rate (in the UK) has decreased not increased. Take it from me - if you ride a motorcycle, you ride *much* more carefully without a helmet. Ho yuss. And also when riding in shorts, tee-shirt and flip-flops, neh? I'm generally against helmets when on the snow, tho I wouldn't argue with anyone's personal choice. For me it slighly removes one from the immediacy of the environment, and I also fear that eventaully they'll be compulsory, perhaps in a de facto way like you can't get insurance without one. Pretty much echoes my thoughts on the subject. -- Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club. |
#6
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Helmets
"Ace" wrote in message ... | On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 22:25:27 +0000, Champ wrote: | | On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 16:39:39 -0000, "MoonMan" | wrote: | | I'm generally against helmets when on the snow, tho I wouldn't argue | with anyone's personal choice. For me it slighly removes one from the | immediacy of the environment, and I also fear that eventaully they'll | be compulsory, perhaps in a de facto way like you can't get insurance | without one. | | Pretty much echoes my thoughts on the subject. Hey, let's abolish the compulsory seatbelt laws while we're about it, why not ??? Pete |
#7
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Helmets
On Thu, 5 Feb 2004 09:48:49 +0100, "PG"
wrote: "Ace" wrote in message .. . | On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 22:25:27 +0000, Champ wrote: | | On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 16:39:39 -0000, "MoonMan" | wrote: | | I'm generally against helmets when on the snow, tho I wouldn't argue | with anyone's personal choice. For me it slighly removes one from the | immediacy of the environment, and I also fear that eventaully they'll | be compulsory, perhaps in a de facto way like you can't get insurance | without one. | | Pretty much echoes my thoughts on the subject. Hey, let's abolish the compulsory seatbelt laws while we're about it, why not ??? Why? Apart from the few allowed exceptions, like pregnant women, I can't see why anyone would want to _not_ wear one. -- Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club. |
#8
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Helmets
On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 08:48:49 GMT, "PG" allegedly
wrote: Hey, let's abolish the compulsory seatbelt laws while we're about it, why not ??? Let's not stop there. I'd like to see a big spike installed on the steering wheel. - Dave. |
#9
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Helmets
On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 16:07:53 +0000, Steve Haigh
wrote: Prompted by a previous post, what do people think about skiing helmets? Personally, I'm a convert, but a trip to Jackson Hole is very pursuasive (very steep, lots of tight trees, scary cliffs etc). I guess it still very much a matter of debate and I am not in favour of making them mandatory but I'd be interested to hear what anyone else thinks. Never worn one, never likely to. I just don't feel I need it. On the plus side: They probably reduce the chance of serious head injury in an accident. (although I know of no proof) I prefer to use the accident-avoidance tactic. Anything that might result in head injury is going to be serious in other ways, so I want to be as certain as I can be that it doesn't happen. On the down side: Hearing impairment. I don't even like to ski with a hood on if I can avoid it, as I believe that hearing is of great value in maintaining one's personal safety. I wouldn't want this compromised by wearing a helmet. May encourage a wearer to take more risks (I doubt this, but I've heard it said). As I understand it, it's something over which the wearer has little control. If he feels less likely to be hurt, he will be inclined to go faster, steeper or whatever. It would take a conscious effort to avoid this risk-compensation, which is inherent to human nature. -- Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club. |
#10
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Helmets
In article , Ace
wrote: On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 16:07:53 +0000, Steve Haigh wrote: [snip] May encourage a wearer to take more risks (I doubt this, but I've heard it said). As I understand it, it's something over which the wearer has little control. If he feels less likely to be hurt, he will be inclined to go faster, steeper or whatever. It would take a conscious effort to avoid this risk-compensation, which is inherent to human nature. Yes it is inherent in human nature. People make subjective assessments of the risks which may not agree with an objective assessment. For example as you improve the personal safety systems in a car, such as seatbelts and airbags, then you often find that people are prepared to risk more and bigger accidents. Similarly if you make them feel more at risk by convincing them that an activity seems more dangerous than it really is they will behave more cautiously. The same action can have differing effects on different people. So for example if you were to compel a group of people to wear a helmet, you might find some will now take more risks because they feel protected by the helmet, whereas others will perceive that the need for a helmet is because there must be a greater risk of injury than they originally thought and hence they would be dissuaded from taking risks. Introduction of compulsory helmet usage for cycling has reduced the numbers who cycle in some countries. Mike URL:http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/~mrc7/ -- o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark \__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing, " || _`\,_ |__\ \ | immunology lecturer, antibody engineer and ` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user" |
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